This year, it was Anderson.

The world as the senior Lady Lions know it is one tournament away from coming to an end. After the NCAA crowns a champion at the Final Four Dec. 19, Anderson and fellow seniors Christy Cochran, Tomuke Ebuwei and Emily Stout no longer will have to endure 3 1/2-hour practices, grueling road trips or nagging injuries.

With the homestretch of their illustrious careers approaching, the seniors played their final regular-season match at Rec Hall Saturday, dispatching Indiana in the same fashion as their last 14 matches -- a three-game sweep (15-5, 15-6, 15-10).

Anderson, who has overcome seemingly endless injury problems to set career highs in hitting percentage (.332), kills (271) and assists (89) this season, said the team now is looking past its regular-season domination and toward the NCAA Tournament, which, after all, was the goal all along.

"I don't think we're glad it's over," she said. "You work your whole year for these last three weeks of the season. That's why we're in the gym everyday."

Before the match against the Hoosiers, the seniors were showered with praise.

Junior Lauren Cacciamani and sophomore Kalna Miller presented their graduating teammates with gifts. The seniors also were given roses and each of them was greeted on the court for a final word of congratulations from their parents.

Add that to the crowd of more than 5,000 fans who arrived to bid the seniors adieu, and it made for an emotional environment.

"It's really neat to see how volleyball has grown here at Penn State and in the community," Cochran said. "We know so many fans now, and they've really made our careers here special."

Their on-the-court accomplishments also have contributed to a special tenure at Penn State, especially in Rec Hall.

The outgoing seniors have played or will play in four NCAA Tournaments, getting to the championship game last season. They've won at least a share of the Big Ten title three times and haven't lost at home since Nov. 24, 1995. Their current 53-game home winning streak is the third longest in the history of the NCAA, and the seniors' record at home in their four years is a remarkable 68-3.

Their achievements have afforded them numerous opportunities that other graduating seniors around the conference haven't had the pleasure of experiencing.

"Some of the other seniors around the Big Ten can't say that they have three Big Ten titles," Ebuwei said. "They can't say they have 4,000 fans cheering for them or that they've hosted a regional."

Still, with their careers winding down and a wealth of memories to look back on, the seniors are looking toward their one final opportunity to make more memories -- memories they've been hoping to make since the first day they took the Rec Hall court four years ago.

Memories of winning a national championship.

"We've definitely enjoyed the ride so far," Cochran said. "But we're ready for the Big Dance now."